[Ru(η--cymene)(N^O 8-hydroxyquinoline)(PTA)] complexes as rising stars in medicinal chemistry: synthesis, properties, biomolecular interactions, anti-tumor activity toward human brain carcinomas, and biodistribution and toxicity in a zebrafish model.

Herein, we have introduced a class of half-sandwich [Ru(η--cymene)(N^O 8-hydroxyquinoline)(PTA)] complexes for brain cancer therapy. Among all the complexes, [RuL3PTA] and [RuL4PTA] exhibited excellent cytotoxicity profiles against T98G, LN229, and U87MG cancer cells. Notably, the antiproliferative activities of the relevant complexes were also supported by neurosphere, DNA intercalation, agarose gel electrophoresis, and time-dependent ROS detection assay studies. Detailed molecular assays were obtained real-time reverse transcription (RT)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) experiments. Moreover, the biodistribution of the [RuL4PTA] complex in different organs and the morphological patterns of zebrafish embryos due to toxic effects have been evaluated.